Apparatus and system for gaining access to conflagrations

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for maintaining ready availability of a lifter tool adapted to lift flat floor panels to expose a fire therebeneath, the apparatus consisting of a flat mounting plate adapted for securement to a wall or other vertically extending surface, a clip bracket centrally secured on said plate, and a lifter tool having a pair of spaced lifter elements occupying substantially the same plane, and interconnected by a bridging handle member frictionally engaged by the bracket in a position to face the lifter elements toward the plate. The invention further includes the described apparatus in combination with a room including a vertical wall upon which said apparatus is mounted by securement of the mounting plate thereto, a fire extinguisher exposed on said wall adjacent said apparatus, and a floor in the room comprising a plurality of flat panels supported above a sub-floor to define therewith a space containing electrical cables connected to a computer disposed in the room.

ll'nite llsulrernan ates Patent 1 APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR EARNINGACCESS T0 CONFLAGRATTONS 21 Appl. No.: 322,953

[52] US. Cl 294/64 R, 211/89, 248/313,

248/316 B [51] llnt. Cl. A471 7/00 [58] Field 011 Search 294/1 R, 64 R,65;

169/1 R, l A; 211/71, 75, 87, 89; 248/154, 218, 226 C, 226 E, 305, 312,313, 362, 363, 316 B,316D,316R

Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher Assistant Examiner 1ohnny D. CherryAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Dunlap, Laney, Hessin, Dougherty & Codding [57]ABSTRACT An apparatus for maintaining ready availability of a liftertool adapted to lift flat floor panels to expose a tire therebeneath,the apparatus consisting of a flat mounting plate adapted for securementto a wall or other vertically extending surface, a clip bracketcentrally secured on said plate, and a lifter tool having a pair ofspaced lifter elements occupying substantially the same plane, andinterconnected by a bridging handle member frictionally engaged by thebracket in a position to face the lifter elements toward the plate. Theinvention further includes the described apparatus in combination with aroom including a vertical wall upon which said apparatus is mounted bysecurement of the mounting plate thereto, a fire extinguisher exposed onsaid wall adjacent said apparatus, and a floor in the room comprising aplurality of flat panels supported above a sub-floor to define therewitha space containing electrical cables connected to a computer disposed inthe room.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR GAIG ACCESS TOCONIFLAGTIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates to safety apparatus and devices, and moreparticularly, to apparatus for gaining rapid access to a fire orconflagration beneath the floor in rooms having a floor withsub-flooring disposed therebelow, and defining therebetween a space forthe accommodation of electrical power cables and signal cables.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art It has, in recent years, becomethe practice to construct chambers or rooms containing massive andextensive computer equipment so that the heavy electri cal cablesproviding electric power and signals for the computer equipment aredisposed beneath the floor and above a sub-floor. The floor isconstructed, in many instances, of a plurality of large, heavy flooringpanels which are supported upon thin channels or pedestals forming anetwork. The electrical cables provided for supplying power to thecomputer in this manner often become heated and generate a substantialamount of heat, and consequently it is sometimes a practice to provideair conditioning in the void or space between the floor and sub-floorwhere the electrical cables are accommodated. It has also been thepractice to provide, within or near the computer room, a vacuum typelifter device having one or a plurality of flexible suction cups whichcan be used to engage the flat upper surface of the flooring panels, andlift them upwardly in the event a fire develops in the space between thefloor and sub-floor as a result of over heating of the electricalcables. The vacuum type lifter tool, of course, is generally providedwith a handle, and is the only rapid means of removing the flooringpanels to gain access to the space therebelow.

A problem which has been encountered in systems of the type described isthe theft, loss or misplacement of the vacuum type lifter tool. Thus,frustrating delays are sometimes encountered when it is desired toinspect or repair the electrical components beneath the floor. Moreimportantly, an extremely dangerous situation is, of course, confrontedat any time that a fire breaks out in the space between the floor andthe sub-floor if the lifter tool cannot be readily located and placed inuse at such times. Frequently, these tools are stored in a drawer, andtheir precise location is known to only a few personnel. At other times,since such tools have other usages than that for which they are providedin the computer rooms, they are the subject of theft, thus renderingthem totally inaccessible in time of need.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present inventionalleviates the problem of lost or missing lifter tools. Moreover, theinvention suggests or implies, for novice personnel, the use for whichthe tool is intended, and locates the tool in close proximity to otherequipment commonly used in fighting and extinguishing fires after accessto the situs of the blaze or heat has been gained. Moreover, the presentinvention does not merely assure ready availability of the lifter toolsdescribed, but protects them from commonlyoccurring damage which resultsfrom improper storage in which they are rested upon one or all of thelifter elements forming a part of such tools.

Broadly described, the present invention comprises a mounting plateadapted for securement to a vertically extending surface; a horizontallyprojecting bracket secured to the mounting plate, and including abifurcated clip having divergent ends forming an opening to a throat;and a lifter tool detachably secured to the bracket. The vacuum typelifter tool constituting a preferred embodiment of the inventionincludes a pair of flexible suction cups positioned for concurrentlyengaging and gripping a substantially monoplanar surface, and havingconcave suction surfaces facing toward the mounting plate; and a rigidhandle extending between and interconnecting the suction cups, andhaving a central portion frictionally engaged by the throat of thebifurcated clip. The suction cups of the vacuum type lifter tool areoriented to be protected by the shielding position of the plate locatedon one side of the cups, and are protected by the rigid handle of thelifter tool disposed on the other side of the cups.

In another aspect, the present invention is an improved computer roomsystem comprising a floor having a plurality of substantially flat floorpanels collectively forming a major portion of the floor; means movablysupporting the floor panels in a horizontal, coplanar relation to eachother for vertical movement upon lifting; a subfloor spaced verticallydownwardly from the floor and defining an intervening space therewith;and a vertically extending structural surface projecting upwardly fromthe floor. A fire extinguisher is detachably supported on the verticallyextending structural surface, as is a flat mounting plate which issecured to the vertically extending structural surface at a locationadjacent the fire extinguisher. Means is provided on the mounting platefor detachably engaging the handle of a lifter tool for the panels. Alifter tool is provided, and includes a handle detachably engaged by theengaging means on the mounting plate, and further includes at least onelifter element, such as a suction cup, mounted on this handle. At leastone computer is supported on a portion of the floor of the room, andelectrical cables extend through the described space to the computer forsupplying electrical power to the computer. The system as thus describedaffords greater protection against the development of a conflagration inthe space between the floor and the subfloor in the event of overheating of the electrical cables which are located there. Thearrangement further assures that all equipment necessary for gainingaccess to, and fighting a fire in such space, will be readily availableand in plain sight, and can be easily and quickly obtained.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for makingaccessible, and storing, a lifter tool of the sort used to lift large,heavy fiat. panels forming portions of a floor in a computer room.

The further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus, by meansof which a vacuum type lifter tool can be stored in such a way that itis constantly protected against damage to the suction cups thereof, yetis readily available and easily located in time of need.

A further object of the invention is to provide a computer room systemin which fire extinguishing apparatus is located in close proximity toapparatus employed to gain access to the most likely point ofdevelopment of a fire, and both the extinguishing equipment and accessgaining equipment can be quickly obtained and put into use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description of preferred embodiments of theinvention when such description is considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of apparatusconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a system of the present invention,including as a portion of the overall system combination, the apparatusdepicted in FIG. I.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referringinitially to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, shown therein is an apparatusconstructed in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus 10includes a flat mounting plate 12 having a plurality of holes orapertures 14 formed therethrough to permit the mounting plate to besecured by screws or bolts to a wall or vertical surface.

Centrally located on the exposed major surface of the mounting plate 12is a clip bracket, designated generally by reference numeral 16. Theclip bracket 16 includes, as best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a basepedestal 18 which is rigidly secured by any suitable means to themounting plate 12, and which projects substantially normal to themounting plate. The clip bracket 16 further includes a pair of springmetal clip arms 20 and 22 pivotally mounted on the base pedestal l8 andurged together by a spring 24. At their outer ends, the clip arms 20 and22 are bent so that the end portions diverge from each other. The cliparms are further angled so as to form an open throat 26 just inside thedivergent ends.

The apparatus of the invention further includes a vacuum type liftertool designated generally by reference numeral 34. Tools of this typeare commercially available, and are generally constructed with one ormore vacuum cups which may be forced against a flat or monoplanarsurface by pressing down a handle attached to the suction cups. Thehandle is then used to lift a panel or plate carrying the flat surfaceengaged by the suction cups. Many of such vacuum type lifter tools havea trigger or release element which, when pulled, breaks the vacuumbeneath the suction cups, and releases the plate or panel after it islifted.

In FIGS. 1-3, one commercially available vacuum type lifter tool isshown, and this particular tool includes a handle 36 which is shaped tohave a gripping portion 36a and a cup carrying portion 36b. A pair ofsuction cups 38 and 40 are mounted on the cup carrying portion 36b ofthe handle 36, and it will be perceived in referring to FIG. 2 that thehandle 36 projects to locations such that the handle completely overliesthe suction cups 38 and 40 on one side thereof. Stated differently, thehandle 36 affords protection to the suction cups 38 and 40 from a blowor damaging impact being imparted to the cups from one side thereof. Thecup carrying portion 36b of the handle 36 has a media] portion whichextends between and spaces the cups 38 and 40. For the purpose ofreleasing the vacuum which is created within the hollow or concaveinterior of the suction cups 38 and 40 when they are pressed downagainst a flat surface, a vacuum breaking trigger 42 is provided on thevacuum type lifter tool 34, and functions in a manner well understood inthe art to release the engagement of the suction cups 38 and 40 with aplate or panel after the plate or panel has been lifted by the use ofthe tool.

Referring further to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, it will be perceivedthat the lifter tool 34 is shown engaged by the clip bracket I6. Thisengagement results from the grip on the cup carrying portion 36b of thehandle 36 by the spring arms 20 and 22 of the clip bracket 16. It willbe noted in FIG. 3 that the cup carrying portion 36b of the handle 36has been pressed down between these arms into the throat 26 just insidethe divergent ends of the arms 20 and 22. It will further be noted inreferring to this figure that the cup carrying portion 36b of the handle36 is configured to have a relatively narrow, tapered lower edge portionwhich faces downwardly toward the suction cups 38 and 40, and that it isthis portion of the handle which is pressed against the contacting endportions of the spring arms 20 and 22 in order to force the cup carryingportion 36b between these spring arms, and into the throat 26 definedtherebetween. It will also be perceived that the particularcross-sectional configuration of the cup carrying portion 36b of thehandle 36 is such that the relatively narrow side edges of the ovalshaped central section of this portion of the handle fits into thethroat defining angulations formed in the spring arms 20 and 22, and theresult is that the lifter tool is engaged so that it does not rotate orshift about a horizontal axis extending coaxially through the cupcarrying portion 36b of the handle 36.

The effect of the described engagement of the lifter tool 34 by the clipbracket 16 is to maintain the lifter tool in a particular and specificposition with respect to the mounting plate 12 as illustrated in FIGS.1-3. It will be seen that the mounting plate 12 has a considerablylarger major surface area than the total projected area of the liftertool 34 (projected into the plane of this major surface), with theresult that the suction cups 38 and 40 are completely protected from anytype of contact by moving objects moving directly toward the suctioncups 38 and 40 from the side thereof upon which the mounting plate 12 islocated. Thus, the relatively thin edges of the suction cups 38 and 40are protected from damage, as well as the concave interior of the cups.A problem which has previously existed in the storage or non-operatingdisposition of lifter tools of the type described is that the tools willoften be inadvertently rested upon a supporting surface in such a waythat the elastomeric material of which the suction cups 38 and 40 areconventionally fabricated will be distorted or split so that the cupswill not function properly when it is later attempted to use the toolfor lifting purposes. The mounting arrangement afforded by the presentinvention avoids this problem.

In summary, the apparatus depicted in FIGS. l3 facilitates thesemi-permanent location of the vacuum type lifter tool in an exposed,constantly visible location. Very importantly, when stored and locatedon a vertical surface through the use of the mounting plate 12 and Clipbracket 16, the lifter tool 34 is protected,

and the operability of the elastomeric suction cups 38 and 40 ismaintained at all times, for the cups are well protected from distortionor damage resulting from contact with inadvertently thrown or movedobjects. Moreover, the construction of the clip bracket 16 assures thatthe vacuum tool will not be pivoted or swung to a position such that thesuction cups are exposed, or the tool inadvertently dropped on the floorand damaged.

One of the important advantages of the present invention is theprovision of apparatus which assures continuing availability of thevacuum type lifter tool 34 for use in gaining rapid access to thelocation of a fire which has broken out beneath the flooring of acomputer room. It is a widespread current practice to construct thefloors of such rooms from a plurality of heavy panels which are fittedtogether to form the floor in such a way that the upper surfaces of thepanels are in flush, coplanar alignment. There is no projection orprotuberance from any of the panels which facilitates the lifting of thepanels by grasping such projection or protuberance and pulling upwardly.It is further a common practice in the current construction of roomscontaining computer equipment to locate all of the electrical cablessupplying electrical power and signals to the computer in a spaceprovided beneath the floor and above a sub-floor of the room.

The present invention provides a new system of construction of interiorspaces for the location and operation of computer equipment which ischaracterized in enhanced safety in usage, and which is better outfittedand arranged for the quick extinguishment of any fire which may start inthe space beneath the flooring in such room. Moreover, for the purposeof maintenance and repair of the electrical supply system, ready accessmay be had to the space beneath the floor using the system of thepresent invention, and the invention further assures that the vacuumtype lifter tool employed for gaining access to the space beneath thefloor will be operative at any time when it is needed, and will notmalfunction due to splitting or other damage to the suction cups as aresult of the tool being laid upon its side on top of a desk or in adrawer for purposes of storage. Finally, the possibilities of theft ofthe vacuum type lifter tool are greatly reduced, since the tool islocated in a clearly visible, always accessible location where personnelworking in the computer room will be instantly apprised of the fact thatthe tool is missing from its customary location, and will generally beable to observe the removal of the tool by any person for eitherauthorized or unauthorized usage.

The system of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 4 of thedrawings. Here a computer room is illustrated and includes verticalwalls 42 and 44 which extend upwardly from the floor, designatedgenerally by reference numeral 46. The floor 46 is constructed of aplurality of large, heavy panels 48 which are supported on channels (notshown), or any other suitable structure, to provide, collectively, asubstantially monoplanar upper floor surface having no protuberances orother upwardly extending structures formed thereon. Beneath the floor 46is located a sub-floor 50 and a space 52 is defined between the floor 46and the subfloor. In the space 52 are located the electrical cables 56which carry the electrical power to a computer 58 disposed within theroom. The computer 58, of course, rests upon the floor 46. As isconventional construction at the present time, each of the panels 48 canbe lifted upwardly from the position shown in FIG. 4 to provide accessto the space 52 between the floor 46 and the sub-floor 50.

Affixed to the wall 42 at a location thereon which is approximatelyequal in height to the level of the eye of persons standing whileworking in the computer room is the apparatus 10 depicted in FIGS. 1-3of the drawings. The mounting plate 12 has been secured flatly againstthe wall 42 by means of screws or bolts. Thus, the handle 36 of thevacuum type .lifter tool 34 projects outwardly from the wall in adirection substantially normal thereto, and can be quickly and easilygrasped by personnel within the room.

Spaced downwardly from the apparatus 10 on the wall 42 is a fireextinguisher 60. The brackets provided for hanging or suspending a fireextinguisher of the type shown on a wall or other vertical surface arewell known in the art, and do not form a part of the present invention.It will be noted, however, in referring to FIG. 4, that the apparatus 10of the present invention is disposed immediately over the fireextinguisher 60, and that one person can easily grasp the lifter tool 34in one hand to remove it from the clip bracket 16, while concurrentlygrasping the heavy fire extinguisher 60 in the other hand and removingit from the mounting upon the wall 42. Thus, extremely valuable secondsare saved in getting the necessary equipment to a location over thefloor 46 where access is needed to the space 52 to combat a fire whichhas broken out in this space as a result of overheating of theelectrical cables supplying the computer 58. The relatively small andlight character of the lifter tool 34 might allow personnel to lay thistool down after its use is completed, and forget to return it to itsstorage location, were nothing more than such' return involved. The factthat the heavy fire extinguisher 60 will usually always be returned toits location on the wall 42, however, will assure that visual perceptionof the absence of the lifter tool 34 will occur at the time of return ofthe fire extinguisher, and that the lifter tool will ultimately bereturned to its proper storage location immediately above the fireextinguisher.

Although certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been hereindescribed in order to illustrate the invention and the manner of itsusage, it will be understood that various changes and innovations in thedescribed structures can be effected without departure from the basicprinciples which underlie the invention. For example, other forms oflifter tools for lifting heavy panels or metal plates are currentlyavailable on the market, and some of these involve differentconfigurations of handles, and from one "to four suction cups or otherlifter elements. The principles which have been described in thepreceding specification are applicable to the location and storage ofsuch lifter tools, however, with minor modifications being necessary, insuch instances, to the size of the mounting plate which is employed, andin the details of construction of the clip bracket used to mount orsupport the lifter tool.

In like manner, although the apparatus 10 and fire extinguisher 60 havebeen disclosed in the foregoing description as being mounted upon theexposed interior surface of a wall, it will be apparent that thesesubassemblies of the described system could also be mounted upon avertical column within the computer room, provided only that theirorientation in relation to each other, and in relation to the paneledfloor is retained.

Innovations or structural modifications of the type described, inremaining dependent upon the basic principles of the present invention,are considered to be circumscribed by the spirit and scope of theinvention. The invention is thus considered to comprehend and includesuch other embodiments and modifications, except as such variantstructures may necessarily be excluded from the scope of the inventionby the language of the appended claims, or reasonable equivalentsthereof.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for gaining access to conflagrations comprising:

a mounting plate having a monoplanar surface and adapted for securementto a vertically extending surface, with the mounting plate positionedwith said monoplanar surface extending substantially parallel to saidvertically extending surface;

a bracket secured to the monoplanar surface of the mounting plate andprojecting outwardly therefrom in a direction substantially normal tosaid monoplanar surface, said bracket including a pair of cooperatingarms; and

a vacuum type lifter tool including:

at least one suction cup; and a handle connected to said suction cup andreleasably engaged by said cooperating arms to orient each of saidsuction cups between said mounting plate and handle with the open sidesof the suction cups facing toward the monoplanar surface of saidmounting plate whereby said suction cups are shielded and protected,each of said suction cups having a peripheral edge lying in a planeextending parallel to said monoplanar surface.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said bracket furthercomprises means resiliently biasing said arms toward each other; and

wherein said arms define therebetween, a throat, said throat surroundingand releasably engaging said handle of said lifter tool, and said throatand handle being of complementary angular shape to prevent rotation ofsaid handle in said throat, said handle extending parallel to saidmonoplanar surface of the mounting plate when positioned in said throatand engaged by said cooperating arms.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said cooperating arms arespring metal arms having divergent ends immediately adjacent said throatand defining a restricted entrance to said throat;

and wherein said handle comprises:

a gripping portion; and

a cup carrying portion carrying said suction cups and configured forkeyed engagement with said throat to retain said cup carrying portionagainst rotation, and to face said suction cups toward said mountingplate in a protected orientation relative thereto.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said suction cups are locatedbetween said cup carrying portion of said handle and said mounting platefor protection to said cups.

5. Apparatus for gaining access to conflagrations comprising:

a mounting plate having a monoplanar surface and adapted for securementto a vertically extending surface with the mounting plate positioned onthe vertically extending surface with the monoplanar surface of themounting plate extending parallel to the vertically extending surface;clip bracket secured to the monoplanar surface of the mounting plate andprojecting outwardly therefrom in a direction normal to the monoplanarsurface of the mounting plate, said clip bracket including a pair ofcooperating arms, said arms defining a throat therebetween;

a panel lifting tool including:

a handle releasably engaged by said arms and extending substantiallyparallel to said monoplanar surface; and

panel engaging means carried by said handle adjacent one end thereof andlocated, during the engagement of said handle by said arm means with thehandle positioned in said throat, between said mounting plate and saidhandle whereby said panel engaging means is shielded and protected.

1. Apparatus for gaining access to conflagrations comprising: a mountingplate having a monoplanar surface and adapted for securement to avertically extending surface, with the mounting plate positioned withsaid monoplanar surface extending substantially parallel to saidvertically extending surface; a bracket secured to the monoplanarsurface of the mounting plate and projecting outwardly therefrom in adirection substantially normal to said monoplanar surface, said bracketincluding a pair of cooperating arms; and a vacuum type lifter toolincluding: at least one suction cup; and a handle connected to saidsuction cup and releasably engaged by said cooperating arms to orienteach of said suction cups between said mounting plate and handle withthe open sides of the suction cups facing toward the monoplanar surfaceof said mounting plate whereby said suction cups are shielded andprotected, each of said suction cups having a peripheral edge lying in aplane extending parallel to Said monoplanar surface.
 2. Apparatus asdefined in claim 1 wherein said bracket further comprises meansresiliently biasing said arms toward each other; and wherein said armsdefine therebetween, a throat, said throat surrounding and releasablyengaging said handle of said lifter tool, and said throat and handlebeing of complementary angular shape to prevent rotation of said handlein said throat, said handle extending parallel to said monoplanarsurface of the mounting plate when positioned in said throat and engagedby said cooperating arms.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 whereinsaid cooperating arms are spring metal arms having divergent endsimmediately adjacent said throat and defining a restricted entrance tosaid throat; and wherein said handle comprises: a gripping portion; anda cup carrying portion carrying said suction cups and configured forkeyed engagement with said throat to retain said cup carrying portionagainst rotation, and to face said suction cups toward said mountingplate in a protected orientation relative thereto.
 4. Apparatus asdefined in claim 3 wherein said suction cups are located between saidcup carrying portion of said handle and said mounting plate forprotection to said cups.
 5. Apparatus for gaining access toconflagrations comprising: a mounting plate having a monoplanar surfaceand adapted for securement to a vertically extending surface with themounting plate positioned on the vertically extending surface with themonoplanar surface of the mounting plate extending parallel to thevertically extending surface; a clip bracket secured to the monoplanarsurface of the mounting plate and projecting outwardly therefrom in adirection normal to the monoplanar surface of the mounting plate, saidclip bracket including a pair of cooperating arms, said arms defining athroat therebetween; a panel lifting tool including: a handle releasablyengaged by said arms and extending substantially parallel to saidmonoplanar surface; and panel engaging means carried by said handleadjacent one end thereof and located, during the engagement of saidhandle by said arm means with the handle positioned in said throat,between said mounting plate and said handle whereby said panel engagingmeans is shielded and protected.